Policy Search Tree Prioritization for Faster Firewall Rule Lookup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for selecting dimensions in policy search trees in network gateways and firewalls result in large trees and poor search performance due to traversing all dimensions in a fixed order, which is inefficient for enterprise-level network security settings with diverse policy ranges and values.
Innovation Solution
Implement a prioritized dimension selection method that differentiates dimensions based on multiple priority levels and configurable thresholds to optimize the security policy search tree, reducing tree depth and node count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If dimensions are traversed in a fixed order to select the dimension with maximum unique range count, then the policy search tree can be created systematically, but the tree size becomes large and search performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection criterion from fixed-order traversal to dynamic selection based on unique range count threshold. The system evaluates each dimension's unique range count and selects dimensions that meet the threshold criterion, rather than following a predetermined fixed order. This parameter-based selection optimizes the tree structure by choosing dimensions that provide better classification efficiency, thereby improving search performance while maintaining systematic tree creation.
2Measurement precision
If all dimensions are evaluated in fixed order, then comprehensive dimension analysis is performed, but processing time increases and tree optimization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and focuses on the critical attribute of dimensions - the unique range count - rather than evaluating all dimensions uniformly in fixed order. By extracting this key metric and using it as the selection criterion, the system performs comprehensive analysis only where necessary (on dimensions that meet the threshold), significantly reducing processing time while maintaining the essential completeness of dimension evaluation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the policy search tree is created without dimension prioritization, then all dimensions are treated equally, but the tree depth and node count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a threshold parameter for unique range count that dynamically guides dimension selection. Instead of treating all dimensions equally or following fixed order, the system adapts its selection based on whether each dimension's unique range count meets the threshold criterion. This parameter-driven approach creates a more optimized tree structure with reduced depth and node count while maintaining flexibility in dimension selection based on the actual data characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments provide systems and methods for a heuristic policy search tree optimization using a prioritized dimension selection. A computer-implemented method for optimizing a policy search tree includes differentiating, with a network appliance, dimensions based on multiple priority levels of a priority dimension configurable setting, determining whether a first dimension having a first priority level for a node of the policy search tree satisfies configurable thresholds for characteristics of a policy set, and selecting the first dimension having the first priority level if no configurable threshold violation for the first dimension.